THE NAMEGiara in the Sardinian language means basaltic plateau. The plateaus of Marmilla and Sarcidano which are in the shape of a table are both called Giara.Like many Sardinian geomorphologic words, the word Giara probably originated from the ancient Sardinian language that was spoken before the invasion and domination of the Island by the Romans.Another hypothesis is that the word giara derives from the Latin word glarea which means gravel. It could originate from the pebbles which are still clearly visible on the plateau. (Zedda Macciò, 1984)